Russell Simmons: Stop 'legal bribery'

Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons says he is confident that Occupy protesters are helping to achieve one goal: Ending what he calls “legal bribery.”

The Def Jam founder, who recently has been promoting a constitutional amendment penned by an anonymous “senior” lawmaker on Capitol Hill that would ban public financing of politicians, said on MSNBC Tuesday that Occupiers are helping to “force their legislators to act appropriately.”

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Lobbyists should promote dialogue, “not pay off politicians” with campaign donations, Simmons said, adding that the Occupy movement is “building an awareness campaign that will make a difference in this country and one that we need” about ending legal bribery.

Calling the country’s democracy “a bit flawed,” Simmons, a self-proclaimed “big supporter” of Occupy Wall Street, praised the protestors for helping to spread the idea that elected officials too often “report to big business and special interest instead of reporting to the people who elected them.

“I think the nucleus of the movement wants America to be better,” he said. “As long as they’re there, it allows people to use their energy and promote on change and promote dialogue for that change.”

He added about the Occupy movement, “Revolutions take time. It’s brand new. … I think they’re doing fine. The people who are the organizers see the potential for change and evolving the movement, and I think they’re doing a good job so far.”